Principal Consultant

BigRedSky Limited; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 192,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Onsite parking

Generous leave entitlements

Professional development opportunities

Salary packaging

Job summary

The Department of Education WA is seeking a Principal Consultant to provide high-level strategic and analytical support within Statewide Services, reporting to senior leaders and working across multiple teams and regions.

You will coordinate responses to complex issues, develop executive communications, and help shape policy and program delivery that benefits schools and communities across Western Australia.

Qualifications

• Exceptional written communication skills
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse complex issues
• Ability to communicate advice clearly to a range of audiences

Responsibilities

• Prepare high-quality briefing notes, Ministerial correspondence, reports and executive communications
• Coordinate system-wide responses to time-sensitive matters
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders
• Lead and support cross-functional projects and initiatives
• Research and analyse emerging issues impacting schools and the education system
• Build productive relationships with stakeholders across schools, regions and external agencies

Job description

Salary: Level 7, $144,755 - $154,717 per annum (pro-rata) (PSCA 2024)

We currently have the following positions available, commencingOctober, 2026

• 1x - 12 month fixed term, part-time (0.6FTE) position, with possible permanency

Are you an exceptional writer, analyst and strategic thinker looking to make a meaningful impact across Western Australia's public education system?

Sitting within the Statewide Services division, System Services and Responses is seeking a highly capable Principal Consultant to provide strategic advice, support complex projects, and deliver high-quality analysis and communications that support decision-making across Statewide Services.

Statewide Services provides the services and supports required by schools to enable student achievement, with a focus on those students and schools that need it most. It encompasses both school and system-facing service delivery. While it primarily exists to support schools, it also has an important system-facing role supporting strategy and policy development.

Service Design and Support provides the shared functions and support needed to provide better services to schools. It also coordinates, implements and supports programs, initiatives, and special projects. Its purpose is to provide strategy, policy and program oversight and operational support to Statewide Services.

The Role

This is a unique opportunity to work on diverse and often high-profile issues affecting schools, students and the wider education system. This is a dynamic and responsive role where no two days are the same.

As Principal Consultant, the successful applicant will provide high-level strategic, analytical and operational support across a diverse portfolio of work. They will coordinate and contribute to system advice, programs and initiatives that support both schools and the broader education system.

This applicant will undertake complex research and analysis, prepare executive and Ministerial communications, coordinate responses to emerging system challenges, and contribute to strategic initiatives that influence education outcomes across Western Australia.

Working closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across the Department, the successful applicant will help ensure decisions are informed, evidence-based and responsive to the changing needs of schools and communities.

To succeed in this role, exceptional written communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to analyse complex issues, identify practical solutions and communicate advice clearly to a range of audiences are highly desired.

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• preparing high-quality briefing notes, Ministerial correspondence, reports and executive communications
• coordinating system-wide responses to complex and often time-sensitive matters
• providing strategic advice to senior leaders
• leading and supporting cross-functional projects and initiatives
• researching and analysing emerging issues impacting schools and the education system
• building productive relationships with stakeholders across schools, regions, central services and external agencies.

This role would suit candidates with experience in policy, strategy, project management, public administration, executive services, consulting, research or communications. We are looking for professionals who can think strategically, communicate with influence and confidently navigate complex issues.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently locatedin Padburyandour employees enjoy a range of benefits which include:

• Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance including; working from home or remote, flexible working hours and part-time arrangements
• Enjoy availability of onsite parking at the Padbury Statewide Services Centre.
• Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities and study leave/assistance
• Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments)

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Courtney Glass, A/Manager System Services and Responses on [phone] or by emailing [e-mail] .

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE1065050

Applicants assessed as suitable may be considered for similar vacancies that arise in our branch within the next 12 months. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close:

4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 16 October 2026